Ages

Nathi Kumalo

Soweto, South Africa

Over the past 30 years there has been an increase in globalisation. Social media

are a perfect example of this phenomenon.

In South Africa, a country 23 years into its democracy, the increase in globalisation has created a democratic-consumerist nation, especially in the Guateng region, where I live.

Having grown up in Soweto, and attending primary school in Yeoville, I was fascinated

with the integrated social class around me, though a separation is still there.

The narrative of "Ages" is not linear. There are a lot of layers to the story, hence

the tonal variations of the photographs are not the same, they jump around.

When a detective gets to a crime scene, he gathers what is presented around the scene as evidence, what he believes will build a solid case. I approach photography in a similar manner, as the subject matter that I photograph requires me to investigate the different layers.

These images are an investigation in which I use photography as a tool to look for hints,

as if building a case about the culture - suggesting to myself and the viewer: are you progressive or regressive on the issues of globalization? Do we need more ideas of sustainability?